JP7751340B2 - Flow path switching valve - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a flow path switching valve.

Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 111828682 discloses a control valve (flow path switching valve) having a rotating valve body within a valve body and having a plurality of communication ports (pipe joints).

In the above-described conventional example, a control member (rotation drive unit) is provided for rotating the valve body.
For example, it is conceivable to interconnect control valves each having a plurality of ports to switch between a plurality of flow paths, but this would require as many rotary drive units as there are valve bodies.

The present disclosure provides a flow path switching valve with a reduced number of rotary drive parts.

The first aspect is a flow path switching valve having multiple valve units in which the communication state of multiple flow paths is changed by rotating a valve element provided within a valve chamber of a valve body, and includes a first valve shaft that rotates the valve element of one of the valve units, a second valve shaft that is provided in parallel to the first valve shaft and rotates the valve element of the other valve unit, a rotary drive unit that rotates the first valve shaft and the second valve shaft, and a drive force distribution mechanism that distributes the rotational drive force of the rotary drive unit to the first valve shaft and the second valve shaft.

In the flow path switching valve according to the first aspect, the driving force of the rotary drive unit is distributed to the first valve shaft and the second valve shaft by the driving force distribution mechanism, and the first valve shaft can rotate the valve element of one valve unit, and the second valve shaft can rotate the valve element of the other valve unit.
That is, in this flow path switching valve, the valve element of each valve unit can be rotated with a small number of rotary drive parts, and the communication state of a plurality of flow paths can be changed.

A second aspect is a flow path switching valve according to the first aspect, wherein the valve body is formed with a first inlet/outlet and a second inlet/outlet on the wall surface forming the valve chamber, through which fluid flows in and out, and a third inlet/outlet on the bottom surface of the valve chamber; the valve element is formed with a flow path that can communicate with any of the first inlet/outlet, second inlet/outlet, and third inlet/outlet; the valve unit is formed with a first flow path that communicates with the first inlet/outlet, a second flow path that is arranged parallel to the first flow path across the valve body and communicates with the second inlet/outlet, and a third flow path that communicates with the third inlet/outlet and has an open end opposite the third inlet/outlet; the first flow path of one valve unit is connected to and coupled with the second flow path of the other valve unit; and the drive force distribution mechanism transmits a rotational drive force to the first valve stem and the second valve stem, rotating the valve element so that the communication state of the first inlet/outlet, the second inlet/outlet, and the third inlet/outlet is selectively switched through the flow paths of the valve element.

In this flow path switching valve, by rotating the valve body, the communication states of the first inlet/outlet, second inlet/outlet, and third inlet/outlet of the valve chest can be selectively switched through the passage of the valve body.
Furthermore, by connecting and linking the first flow path of one valve unit to the second flow path of the other valve unit, it is possible to increase the variety of flow path switching options compared to when they are not linked.

In a third aspect, in the flow path switching valve according to the first or second aspect, the driving force distribution mechanism includes a first gear connected to the first valve shaft, a second gear connected to the second valve shaft, and a third gear connected to the rotary drive unit and meshing with the first gear and the second gear.

In the flow path switching valve of the third aspect, by driving the third gear to rotate using the rotary drive unit, the first gear and second gear meshing with the third gear can be driven to rotate simultaneously, and the first valve shaft connected to the first gear and the second valve shaft connected to the second gear can be rotated simultaneously.

A fourth aspect is a flow path switching valve according to the third aspect, wherein the number of teeth of the third gear is less than the number of teeth of the first gear and the number of teeth of the second gear.

By making the number of teeth on the third gear less than the number of teeth on the first gear and the number of teeth on the second gear, the rotary drive unit can function as a reducer.

A fifth aspect is a flow path switching valve according to the third or fourth aspect, in which the third gear is provided between the first gear and the second gear.

In a flow path switching valve in which one valve unit and the other valve unit are arranged side by side, by providing a third gear between the first gear and the second gear, the rotary drive unit that rotates and drives the third gear can be arranged between the one valve unit and the other valve unit, and the drive force distribution mechanism can be made compact.
Furthermore, assuming that the distance between the first valve shaft and the second valve shaft is constant, when the first gear of one valve unit is meshed with the second gear of the other valve unit and a third gear is meshed with either the first gear or the second gear, the diameters of the first gear and the second gear will be larger than the diameters of the first gear and the second gear when a third gear is provided between the first gear and the second gear as in the fifth aspect.
In other words, by providing a third gear between the first gear and the second gear as in the fifth aspect, the diameters of the first gear and the second gear can be made smaller than when the first gear and the second gear are directly meshed, and the driving force distribution mechanism can be made compact.

A sixth aspect is a flow path switching valve according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, wherein the valve body has an opening that allows the valve element to be inserted into the valve chamber, the driving force distribution mechanism has a unit side gear case that closes the opening of one of the valve units and the opening of the other of the valve units and connects the one valve unit and the other valve unit, a recess is formed in the unit side gear case on the side opposite the valve chamber, and the first gear, the second gear, and the third gear are arranged in the recess.

In the flow path switching valve of the sixth aspect, the unit side gear case has a first function of connecting one valve unit to the other valve unit, and a second function as a gear box in which the first gear, second gear, and third gear are arranged, thereby reducing the number of parts compared to when the two functions are configured as separate components.

A seventh aspect is a flow path switching valve according to the sixth aspect, in which the unit side gear case is welded to the valve body of one of the valve units and the valve body of the other valve unit.

By welding the unit side gear case to the valve body of one valve unit and the valve body of the other valve unit, the valve body of one valve unit and the valve body of the other valve unit can be firmly connected.

In the eighth aspect, in the flow path switching valve of the seventh aspect, the recess of the unit side gear case is blocked by a gear case cover welded to the unit side gear case.

In the flow path switching valve of the eighth aspect, the recess in the unit side gear case is covered with a gear case cover, so that the recess in which the first gear, second gear, and third gear are arranged can be sealed.

This disclosure makes it possible to obtain a flow path switching valve with a minimal number of rotary drive parts.

1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a flow path switching valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a flow path switching valve in which two valve units are stacked one above the other and two valve bodies are rotated simultaneously. FIG. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a valve unit. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a valve unit. FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a flow path switching valve with a part of a driving force distribution mechanism cut away; FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a flow path switching valve. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the inside of a driving force distribution mechanism. FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the valve unit. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the valve unit as viewed from the male joint side of the first flow path. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a main part of a driving force distribution mechanism according to another embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a main part of a driving force distribution mechanism according to still another embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state in which the left small sector gear is engaged with the large sector gear in a main part of a driving force distribution mechanism according to still another embodiment. 15 is a plan view showing the state in which the right small sector gear is meshed with the large sector gear in the driving force distribution mechanism of FIG. 14. FIG.

The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. Components indicated with the same reference numerals in each drawing are the same components. Note that duplicate explanations and reference numerals may be omitted in the embodiments described below. Furthermore, all drawings used in the following description are schematic, and the dimensional relationships and ratios of each element shown in the drawings do not necessarily match those in reality. Furthermore, the dimensional relationships and ratios of each element between multiple drawings do not necessarily match.

In addition, in this specification, descriptions of positions and directions such as up/down, left/right, front/rear, etc. are based on the directional arrows in Figure 1 and do not refer to positions and directions in actual use. In Figure 1, "U" indicates the upward direction (upper side), "D" indicates the downward direction (lower side), "LH" indicates the leftward direction (left side), "RH" indicates the rightward direction (right side), "F" indicates the forward direction (front side), and "R" indicates the rearward direction (rear side). "Up/down direction" refers to the directions of arrow U and arrow D. "Right/left direction" refers to the directions of arrow LH and arrow RH. "Front/rear direction" refers to the directions of arrow F and arrow R.

1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a flow path switching valve 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this flow path switching valve 10, two valve units 20 are connected in the left-right direction, and each valve unit 20 is stacked below the other valve unit 20.
In other words, four valve units 20 are combined.

Figure 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a flow path switching valve 10 in which two valve units 20 are stacked one above the other and two valve bodies 16 are rotated by a single rotary drive unit 18. Figure 2 corresponds to Figure 1 with the two upper and lower valve units 20 extracted. Figures 3 and 4 are partially cutaway perspective views showing one valve unit 20.

The flow path switching valve 10 is used as a rotary three-way valve (Figure 3) for switching the flow path of a fluid flowing, for example, in the engine compartment of an automobile. As shown in Figure 1, the flow path switching valve 10 has a valve unit 20, a rotary drive unit 18, and a drive force distribution mechanism 100.

[Valve unit]
2 to 4, the valve unit 20 of this embodiment includes a valve body 14, a valve element 16, a first flow path 21, a second flow path 22, and a third flow path 23. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the valve unit 20 is a three-way valve that switches, for example, between a state in which the first flow path 21 and the third flow path 23 are connected to each other, a state in which the second flow path 22 and the third flow path 23 are connected to each other, and a state in which the first flow path 21, the second flow path 22, and the third flow path 23 are not connected to each other.

(Valve body)
3 and 4 , the valve body 14 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and defines a valve chamber 12 therein. The valve chamber 12 is open at its top, and a valve element 16 and a sealing portion 38 (described later) are inserted from above. That is, the valve body 14 has an opening 15 on its upper side through which the valve element 16 and sealing portion 38 can be inserted. A first inlet/outlet 31 and a second inlet/outlet 32, which face each other and allow fluid to enter and exit, are defined in the wall surface defining the valve chamber 12. For example, the first inlet/outlet 31 is defined in the rear wall surface of the valve chamber 12, and the second inlet/outlet 32 is defined in the front wall surface of the valve chamber 12. That is, the first inlet/outlet 31 and the second inlet/outlet 32 face each other in the front-to-rear direction of the valve chamber 12. A third inlet/outlet 33 is defined in the bottom surface of the valve chamber 12.

(Valve body)
2, 3, 5, and 6, the valve element 16 is a ball-shaped member made of, for example, synthetic resin, and is rotatably disposed within the valve chamber 12. An insertion hole 16A is formed in the upper part of the valve element 16, into which the lower end of a gear shaft 28 (described later) is inserted. The gear shaft 28 and the insertion hole 16A engage with each other around the axial direction of the gear shaft 28, so that rotation of the gear shaft 28 is transmitted to the valve element 16. A flow path 36 (described next) is formed in the valve element 16, and the insertion hole 16A passes through to the flow path 36 of the valve element 16, for example.

A flow path (internal flow path) 36 is provided within the valve element 16 to selectively connect the first inlet/outlet 31, second inlet/outlet 32, and third inlet/outlet 33 of the valve body 14, in other words, to selectively switch the connection state of the first inlet/outlet 31, second inlet/outlet 32, and third inlet/outlet 33. That is, by rotating the valve element 16, the flow path 36 can be connected to any of the first flow path 21, second flow path 22, and third flow path 23. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the valve element 16 is formed with a horizontal hole 36A that connects to the flow path 36 from its outer periphery (side). The valve element 16 also has a pilot hole 36C that connects to the flow path 36 from its outer periphery (bottom). The flow path 36 connects from the horizontal hole 36A to the pilot hole 36C. Depending on the state of the valve element 16, the horizontal hole 36A can face either the first inlet/outlet 31 or the second inlet/outlet 32. When the lateral hole 36A is not facing any of the inlets and outlets, the valve body 16 is in close contact with a seat member 40 (described later) and is closed.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a rib 16B extending in the direction (vertical direction) toward the third inlet/outlet 33 is formed in the flow path 36 of the valve body 16. This rib 16B is, for example, a thin plate-like protrusion, and is formed, for example, on the inner wall at the back side of the horizontal hole 36A in the flow path 36 of the valve body 16.

2 and 3, sealing portions 38 are provided between the valve element 16 and the first inlet/outlet 31, and between the valve element 16 and the second inlet/outlet 32, respectively, to seal the gap between the two. The sealing portions 38 include, for example, a seat member 40 and an O-ring 42. The seat member 40 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and is formed in an annular shape with openings corresponding to the first inlet/outlet 31 and the second inlet/outlet 32. These seat members 40 are respectively disposed around the first inlet/outlet 31 and the second inlet/outlet 32 on the inner wall surfaces of the valve body 14 (the front and rear wall surfaces of the valve chamber 12). The valve element 16 is sandwiched between the two seat members 40 and is disposed so as to be rotatable and slidable while in contact with each seat member 40.

The space between the seat member 40 and the valve body 14 is sealed, for example, airtight or watertight, by an O-ring 42. The O-ring 42 is attached, for example, to an O-ring groove (not shown) formed in the seat member 40.

As an example, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) can be used for the valve body 14 and valve element 16, PTFE (fluororesin) can be used for the seat member 40, and synthetic rubber can be used for the O-ring 42.

(First flow path, second flow path, third flow path)
3, the first flow path 21, the second flow path 22, and the third flow path 23 are, for example, pipe portions formed integrally with the valve body 14. In other words, the first flow path 21 can be referred to as a first port, the second flow path 22 as a second port, and the third flow path 23 as a third port.

As shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, and 10, the first flow path 21 is open at both ends, for example, and communicates with the first inlet/outlet 31 of the valve chamber 12. This first flow path 21 extends linearly, for example, in the left-right direction. The first inlet/outlet 31 is connected midway through the first flow path 21. As a result, the first flow path 21 and the first inlet/outlet 31 are formed in a roughly T-shape in plan view (see Figure 10).

The second flow path 22 is arranged parallel to the first flow path 21 across the valve body 14, and is open at both ends, for example, and communicates with the second inlet/outlet 32. The second flow path 22 extends linearly, for example, in the left-right direction. The second inlet/outlet 32 is connected midway through the second flow path 22. As a result, the second flow path 22 and the second inlet/outlet 32 form a roughly T-shape in plan view (see Figure 10).

As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 10, female joints 51, 52 are provided at one end of the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22, respectively. Male joints 61, 62 are provided at the other end of the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22, respectively. The male joints 61, 62 are structured to be connectable to the female joints 51, 52. Annular grooves 61A, 62A are formed on the outer peripheries of the male joints 61, 62. Furthermore, the female joints 51, 52 are formed with, for example, a pair of arc-shaped slits 51A, 52A.
1, 8, 9, and 10, the male fittings 61, 62 are fitted into the female fittings 51, 52, respectively, and are prevented from coming loose by fitting clips 34 into grooves 61A, 62A through slits 51A, 52A. Water is sealed at the connection between the fittings by, for example, an O-ring 66. This fitting structure allows the first flow path 21 and second flow path 22 of one valve unit 20 to be connected to the first flow path 21 and second flow path 22 of another valve unit 20, respectively.

In Figure 11, a first protrusion 71 protruding from the first inlet/outlet 31 side toward the inside of the first flow path 21 is provided at the connection portion of the first flow path 21 with the first inlet/outlet 31. This first protrusion 71 is, for example, an arc-shaped protrusion formed along the opening of the first inlet/outlet 31 to the first flow path 21. The range of the first protrusion 71 is, for example, less than half the circumference of the inner surface of the first flow path 21 on the first inlet/outlet 31 side. One side of the first protrusion 71 in the left-right direction is a concave surface that extends from a portion of the inner wall of the first flow path 21. In the illustrated example, the first protrusion 71 is provided on the left side of the first inlet/outlet 31. Note that the first protrusion 71 may also be provided on the right side of the first inlet/outlet 31, or on both the left and right sides of the first protrusion 71.

Furthermore, a second protrusion 72 protruding from the second inlet/outlet 32 side toward the inside of the second flow path 22 is provided at the connection portion of the second flow path 22 with the second inlet/outlet 32. This second protrusion 72 is, for example, an arc-shaped ridge formed along the opening of the second inlet/outlet 32 to the second flow path 22. The range of the second protrusion 72 is, for example, less than half the circumference of the inner circumferential surface of the second flow path 22 on the second inlet/outlet 32 side. One side of the second protrusion 72 in the left-right direction is a concave surface that extends from a portion of the inner wall of the second flow path 22. In the illustrated example, the second protrusion 72 is provided on the left side of the second inlet/outlet 32. Note that the second protrusion 72 may also be provided on the right side of the second inlet/outlet 32, or on both the left and right sides of the second protrusion 72.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a secondary flow path 46 closed by a lid 44 may be provided in the first flow path 21, for example, at a position opposite the first inlet/outlet 31. The area between the lid 44 and the end of the secondary flow path 46 is sealed by welding or watertight by a sealing member (not shown) such as an O-ring. The secondary flow path 46 can also be used by removing the lid 44. A storage tank (not shown), for example, can be connected to the secondary flow path 46.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, a pump (not shown) can be attached to the female fitting 51 or male fitting 61 of the first flow path 21 at the end of the flow path switching valve 10, and to the female fitting 52 or male fitting 62 of the second flow path 22 at the end. The pump (not shown) connected to the first flow path 21 can supply fluid from another device to the first flow path 21, or supply fluid in the first flow path 21 to another device. The pump (not shown) connected to the second flow path 22 can supply fluid from another device to the second flow path 22, or supply fluid in the second flow path 22 to another device, via the fitting 92.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the third flow path 23 communicates with the third inlet/outlet 33 and is open on the side opposite the third inlet/outlet 33. Specifically, the third flow path 23 has a bent portion 23A. The third inlet/outlet 33 is located above the bent portion 23A. The open end of the third flow path 23 is located, for example, in front of the bent portion 23A and protrudes, for example, forward of the second flow path 22. The open end of the third flow path 23 is provided with, for example, a male fitting 64 that can be connected to piping to other equipment.

A spherical recess 23B, for example, is provided at the bent portion 23A of the third flow path 23 facing the third inlet/outlet 33, i.e., below the third inlet/outlet 33. The recess 23B is formed in a roughly hemispherical shape. The recess 23B is recessed below the bottom 23C of the lateral flow path forward of the bent portion 23A. This allows a portion of the fluid that enters the third flow path 23 from the third inlet/outlet 33 to first fall down to the recess 23B before entering the lateral flow path of the third flow path 23.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, a through-hole 23D is formed at the bottom of the recess 23B in the upper valve unit 20. The valve stem 58 can be passed through the through-hole 23D. An O-ring 60 seals the gap between the valve stem 58 and the through-hole 23D. When another valve unit 20 cannot be stacked below, the bottom of the recess 23B may be configured without the through-hole 23D, as in the lower valve unit 20 in FIG. 2. Even if the through-hole 23D is provided, it may be blocked by a separate member (e.g., a blocking portion 86). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the blocking portion 86 may include a temperature sensor 84. The temperature sensor 84 is supported by the blocking portion 86, for example, and positioned so that its tip is located within the third flow path 23. An O-ring 88, for example, is attached to the blocking portion 86. This O-ring 88 ensures watertightness between the blocking portion 86 and the through-hole 23D. Using the temperature sensor 84 allows for accurate measurement of the temperature within the third flow path 23.

(Drive force distribution mechanism)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, a rotary drive unit 18 is provided on each of the two adjacent upper valve bodies 14 via a drive force distribution mechanism 100.
The driving force distribution mechanism 100 includes a gear 102 and a small gear 114, which will be described later.
The driving force distribution mechanism 100 includes a unit-side gear case 24 that connects the two valve bodies 14, and as shown in Fig. 8 , the upward opening 15 (Fig. 3) in the valve chamber 12 of the upper valve body 14 is closed by the unit-side gear case 24. In other words, the unit-side gear case 24 has a shape that closes the openings 15 of the two valve bodies 14.

As shown in FIG. 8, the unit-side gear case 24 is, for example, welded to the inside of the opening 15 of each valve body 14 in a spigot-fitted state.
2, 8, and 9, the unit-side gear case 24 has a protrusion 30 on its outer periphery. This protrusion 30 faces or abuts against the peripheral edge of the gear case cover 118, which will be described later. The protrusion 30 may be a melting portion.
In this way, in the flow path switching valve 10 of this embodiment, the two upper valve bodies 14 adjacent to each other on the left and right, i.e., the two valve units 20 adjacent to each other on the left and right, are connected by the unit side gear case 24 of the rotary drive unit 18.

The unit-side gear case 24 has an upper portion formed with a recess 26 in which a gear 102 and a small gear 114, which will be described later, are disposed.
As shown in FIG. 2, a hole 24A is formed in the unit-side gear case 24, and a gear shaft 28, which will be described below, passes through this hole 24A.
As described above, the lower end of the gear shaft 28 is inserted into the insertion hole 16A of the valve body 16, and the axial middle portion is rotatably inserted into the hole 24A. An O-ring 29 or X-ring (not shown) that seals the gap between the gear shaft 28 and the hole 24A is attached to the axial middle portion of the gear shaft 28. This O-ring 29 or X-ring ensures airtightness and watertightness between the gear shaft 28 and the hole 24A.

As shown in Figures 2, 8, and 9, the gear shaft 28 protruding from the top surface of the unit side gear case 24 is formed with a flange 28A and a fitting portion 28B that fits into the fitting hole 104 of the gear 102, which will be described next.

In this embodiment, the gear 102 is, for example, a spur gear, but may also be a helical gear. The gear 102 has a center hole 104 formed therein that fits with the mating portion 28B of the gear shaft 28, and the mating portion 28B of the gear shaft 28 is inserted into this hole 104 for mating.

As shown in Figure 8, a boss 106 is formed on the upper surface of the unit side gear case 24, midway between one hole 24A and the other hole 24A.

A bearing hole 108 is formed in the boss 106. A shaft portion 112 of a geared shaft 110 that receives a driving force from the rotary drive unit 18 is rotatably inserted into the bearing hole 108.
Below the boss 106, the side walls of one valve body 14 and the other valve body 14 are close to each other, and both close side walls are welded to the unit-side gear case 24 below the boss 106, so the area near the boss 106 is highly rigid and does not easily deform. Therefore, the boss 106 can stably support the geared shaft 110.

The geared shaft 110 has a small gear 114, which is a spur gear, provided on the upper side of the shaft portion 112, and a mating shaft 116 provided on the upper side of the small gear 114. The shaft portion 112, small gear 114, and mating shaft 116 are integrally formed.

7 to 9, the small gear 114 meshes with one gear 102 and the other gear 102. The small gear 114 of this embodiment has fewer teeth than the gear 102. In this embodiment, as an example, the small gear 114 has 12 teeth and the gear 102 has 24 teeth, but the number of teeth of each gear is not limited to the number of teeth in this embodiment and can be changed appropriately as needed.
Note that one of the two gears 102 is an example of a first gear of the present disclosure, the other of the two gears 102 is an example of a second gear of the present disclosure, and the small gear 114 is an example of a third gear of the present disclosure.

In Figures 7 and 8, a gear case cover 118 is arranged on the upper side of the unit side gear case 24.

As shown in Figure 8, the gear case cover 118 has a pair of protrusions 120 that are inserted into the recess 28C formed at the upper end of the gear shaft 28, and a hole 122 through which the mating shaft 116 of the geared shaft 110 passes.

As an example, the peripheral edge of the gear case cover 118 is welded to the peripheral edge of the unit side gear case 24, thereby integrating the unit side gear case 24 and the gear case cover 118. The unit side gear case 24 and the gear case cover 118 form a gearbox (housing).

9 , in the driving force distribution mechanism 100 of this embodiment, a small gear 114 is disposed between one gear 102 and the other gear 102. More specifically, in the driving force distribution mechanism 100 of this embodiment, the center of the geared shaft 110 (small gear 114) is located on a straight line L connecting the centers of the one gear 102 and the other gear 102.
Note that "the small gear 114 is arranged between one gear 102 and the other gear 102" means a state in which the small gear 114 is meshed with one gear 102 and the other gear 102, and does not necessarily mean that the center of the small gear 114 is located on the straight line L connecting the center of one gear 102 and the center of the other gear 102, but also includes a case in which the center of the small gear 114 is not located on the straight line L.

As shown in Figures 1, 7, and 8, the rotational drive unit 18 is fixed onto the gear case cover 118 of the driving force distribution mechanism 100 using, for example, a screw 25 (Figure 1).

(Rotational drive unit)
The rotational drive unit 18 is a device connected to the valve unit 20 via a drive force distribution mechanism 100. The rotational drive unit 18 transmits a rotational force to the valve element 16 so that the communication states of the first inlet/outlet 31, the second inlet/outlet 32, and the third inlet/outlet 33 are selectively switched through the flow path 36 of the valve element 16.

In this embodiment, the rotational drive unit 18 is, for example, a geared motor. This rotational drive unit 18 is provided with a connector 50 to which wiring is connected, for example, for communication with the control unit and for power supply.

A mating shaft 116 of the geared shaft 110 is coupled to a rotation shaft (not shown) of the rotation drive unit 18 .
Therefore, when the rotation shaft (not shown) of the rotation drive unit 18 rotates, the rotational drive force of the rotation drive unit 18 is transmitted to the valve body 16 via the small gear 114 and the gear 102 .

[Overlapping of valve units]
As shown in Fig. 1, in this embodiment, one upper valve unit 20 is connected to the lower side of another valve unit 20 by being stacked thereon. As shown in Fig. 2, the portion of the upper valve unit 20 that is stacked on the lower valve unit 20 serves as a lid 68 that closes the valve chamber 12 of the lower valve unit 20. This closing structure is achieved by welding the bottom of the upper valve body 14 to the inside of the opening 15 of the lower valve body 14 in a spigot-fitted state.

As shown in Figure 2, this embodiment is configured such that one valve unit 20 is connected to another valve unit 20 in a vertically stacked manner, and the two valve elements 16 of the two valve units 20 rotate simultaneously. In this example, the gear shaft 28 of the upper valve unit 20 and the valve shaft 58 of the lower valve unit 20 are connected by a connecting shaft 56. The connecting shaft 56 connects the gear shaft 28 and the valve shaft 58 through the interior of the upper valve element 16 and the vertical flow path of the third flow path 23. When the upper gear shaft 28 is driven to rotate, the rotation is transmitted to the lower valve shaft 58 via the connecting shaft 56, causing the upper and lower valve elements 16 to rotate synchronously.
The gear shaft 28, the connecting shaft 56, and the valve shaft 58 are examples of the first valve shaft and the second valve shaft of the present disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 8, the gear shaft 28, connecting shaft 56, and valve shaft 58 of the left valve unit 20 and the gear shaft 28, connecting shaft 56, and valve shaft 58 of the right valve unit 20 are arranged in parallel with each other.

(effect)
The flow path switching valve 10 of this embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be described below.
In the flow path switching valve 10 according to this embodiment, when the geared shaft 110 is rotated by the rotary drive unit 18, the small gear 114 rotates the gear 102. As shown in Figure 9, for example, when the small gear 114 is rotated in the direction of the arrow CCW (counterclockwise), both of the one gear 102 and the other gear 102 rotate in the direction of the arrow CW (clockwise), which is opposite to the rotation direction of the small gear 114.

In this embodiment, the small gear 114 has 12 teeth and the gear 102 has 24 teeth, so the driving force distribution mechanism 100 has the function of distributing the rotational drive unit 18 to one of the left and right valve units 20 and the other valve unit 20, and also has the function of a reducer.
In the flow path switching valve 10 of this embodiment, the valve discs 16 of the two upper and lower valve units 20 on one side, either left or right, and the valve discs 16 of the two upper and lower valve units 20 on the other side, either left or right, are driven by a single rotary drive unit 18, so the number of rotary drive units 18 can be reduced compared to when the two upper and lower valve units 20 on one side, either left or right, and the two upper and lower valve units 20 on the other side are driven by separate rotary drive units 18. In other words, with the flow path switching valve 10 of this embodiment, the valve discs 16 of all of the valve units 20 can be rotated simultaneously with a minimum number of rotary drive units 18, reducing the number of parts and simplifying control of the rotary drive units 18.

Furthermore, for example, if the torque required to rotate the valve discs 16 of two upper and lower valve units 20 on one of the left and right sides is A, when the valve discs 16 of two upper and lower valve units 20 on one of the left and right sides are rotated by a single rotary drive unit 18, the torque of the rotary drive unit 18 must be at least A. If the reduction ratio of the drive force distribution mechanism 100 is 1, the torque of the rotary drive unit 18 that rotates the valve discs 16 of all the valve units 20 must be at least 2A.
On the other hand, since the driving force distribution mechanism 100 of this embodiment is a reducer with a reduction ratio of 2, the rotational torque required for the rotary drive unit 18 is only A, and there is no need to replace the rotary drive unit 18 with a larger one with higher torque.

In the flow path switching valve 10 of this embodiment configured as described above, by rotating the valve body 16, the communication state of the first inlet/outlet 31, second inlet/outlet 32, and third inlet/outlet 33 of the valve chamber 12 can be selectively switched through the flow path 36 of the valve body 16, and the communication state of multiple flow paths can be changed.

Other Embodiments
The above describes one example of an embodiment of the present disclosure, but the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

The valve unit 20 in the above embodiment was a three-way valve, but it may also be a valve structure other than a three-way valve, such as a four-way valve or an on-off valve.

In the above embodiment, the valve body 16 has a spherical shape, but it may have any other shape, such as a cylindrical shape, as long as it rotates.

In the driving force distribution mechanism 100 of the above embodiment, the center of the geared shaft 110 (small gear 114) was located on the straight line L connecting the center of one gear 102 and the center of the other gear 102 (see Figure 9), but the center of the geared shaft 110 may be located at a position offset from the straight line L.

In the above embodiment of the flow path switching valve 10, two valve units 20 are connected vertically, but three or more valve units 20 may also be connected vertically.

In the driving force distribution mechanism 100 of the above embodiment, a small gear 114 is disposed between the two gears 102, and the two gears 102 are configured to rotate in the same direction. However, as shown in FIG. 12 , by directly meshing one gear 102 with the other gear 102 and meshing the small gear 114 with either one gear 102 or the other gear 102, the rotational direction of one gear 102 can be reversed.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13, by meshing a small gear 124 between the small gear 114 and the other gear 102, the rotation direction of one gear 102 and the rotation direction of the other gear 102 can be reversed.

In the above embodiment, the flow path switching valve 10 is described with the rotary drive unit 18 on the upper side, but the position in which the flow path switching valve 10 is used is not limited to the position shown in the drawing with the rotary drive unit 18 on the upper side.

Also, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the driving force distribution mechanism 100 may have a large sector gear 214 having a toothless portion 214B and a pair of small sector gears 202 having toothless portions 202B. Approximately half of the large sector gear 214 is a series of toothed portions 214A in the circumferential direction, and the remaining portion is a toothless portion 214B. The small sector gear 202 is a series of toothed portions 202A in the circumferential direction, and the remaining portion is a toothless portion 202B. The number of teeth on the toothed portion 214A of the large sector gear 214 and the number of teeth on the toothed portion 202A of each small sector gear 202 are, for example, equal to each other. The toothless portion 202B of the small sector gear 202 is, for example, a concave surface with a curvature equal to the curvature of the toothless portion 214B of the large sector gear 214.

The large sector gear 214 is a drive gear, and the small sector gear 202 is a driven gear. Depending on the angular position of the toothed portion 214A, the large sector gear 214 meshes with one of the small sector gears 202 (for example, the small sector gear 202 on the left in Figure 14) and distributes the driving force. At this time, in the other small sector gear 202 (the small sector gear 202 on the right in Figure 14), the toothless portion 202B abuts against the toothless portion 214B of the large sector gear 214, and the toothless portions 202B and 214B slide against each other when the large sector gear 214 rotates. As a result, the other small sector gear 202 is stopped, with no driving force being distributed from the large sector gear 214.

When the large sector gear 214 is engaged with the other small sector gear 202 (the small sector gear 202 on the right in Figure 15), driving force is distributed from the large sector gear 214 to the small sector gear 202. At this time, the toothless portion 202B of one small sector gear 202 (the small sector gear 202 on the left in Figure 15) abuts against the toothless portion 214B of the large sector gear 214, and the toothless portions 202B and 214B slide against each other when the large sector gear 214 rotates. As a result, the one small sector gear 202 is stopped and no driving force is distributed from the large sector gear 214.

In this way, by using a large sector gear 214 and a pair of small sector gears 202, one small sector gear 202 can be driven by a single rotary drive unit 18 (Figure 17), and flow path switching can be performed independently for one valve unit 20 and the other valve unit 20 (see Figure 9). In other words, flow path switching can be performed for one valve unit 20 without switching the flow path for the other valve unit 20, and flow path switching can be performed for one valve unit 20 without switching the flow path for the other valve unit 20.

The number of teeth on the toothed portion 214A of the large sector gear 214 does not have to be the same as the number of teeth on the toothed portion 202A of each small sector gear 202. Also, the same effect can be achieved by providing a toothless portion only on the large sector gear 214. In other words, the small sector gear 202 can be made a small gear whose entire circumference is made up of toothed portion 202A, and the radius from the center of the large sector gear 214 to the outer periphery of the toothless portion 214B of the large sector gear 214 can be set so that the toothless portion 214B does not come into contact with the small gear.

In addition, in the above example, the large sector gear 214 is the drive gear and the small sector gear 202 is the driven gear, but the arrangement of the large sector gear 214 and the small sector gear 202 may be reversed. In other words, a layout may be used in which one small sector gear is the drive gear and two large sector gears are the driven gears. In this case, since the small sector gear becomes the drive gear, an increase in the torque of the large sector gear can be expected.

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-146486, filed on September 14, 2022, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, or technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims (7)

A flow path switching valve including a plurality of valve units in which the communication states of a plurality of flow paths are changed by rotating a valve element provided in a valve chamber of a valve body,
a first valve shaft that rotates the valve element of one of the valve units;
a second valve shaft that is arranged in parallel with the first valve shaft and rotates the valve element of the other valve unit;
a rotation drive unit for rotating the first valve shaft and the second valve shaft;
a drive force distribution mechanism that distributes the rotational drive force of the rotation drive unit to the first valve shaft and the second valve shaft;
and
the valve body is formed with a first inlet/outlet and a second inlet/outlet through which fluid flows in and out on a wall surface that defines the valve chamber, and a third inlet/outlet is formed on a bottom surface of the valve chamber,
a flow path is formed in the valve body, the flow path being capable of communicating with any one of the first inlet/outlet, the second inlet/outlet, and the third inlet/outlet;
The valve unit is formed with a first flow path communicating with the first inlet/outlet, a second flow path that is juxtaposed to the first flow path across the valve body and communicates with the second inlet/outlet, and a third flow path that communicates with the third inlet/outlet and has an open end opposite to the third inlet/outlet,
The first flow path of one of the valve units is connected to the second flow path of the other of the valve units,
the drive force distribution mechanism transmits a rotational drive force to the first valve shaft and the second valve shaft, and rotates the valve body so that the communication states of the first inlet/outlet, the second inlet/outlet, and the third inlet/outlet are selectively switched through the flow path of the valve body, in a flow path switching valve. the driving force distribution mechanism includes a first gear connected to the first valve shaft, a second gear connected to the second valve shaft, and a third gear connected to the rotation drive unit and meshing with the first gear and the second gear.
The flow path switching valve according to claim 1 . The number of teeth of the third gear is smaller than the number of teeth of the first gear and the number of teeth of the second gear.
The flow path switching valve according to claim 2 . The third gear is provided between the first gear and the second gear.
The flow path switching valve according to claim 2 . A flow path switching valve including a plurality of valve units in which the communication states of a plurality of flow paths are changed by rotating a valve element provided in a valve chamber of a valve body,
a first valve shaft that rotates the valve element of one of the valve units;
a second valve shaft that is arranged in parallel with the first valve shaft and rotates the valve element of the other valve unit;
a rotation drive unit for rotating the first valve shaft and the second valve shaft;
a drive force distribution mechanism that distributes the rotational drive force of the rotation drive unit to the first valve shaft and the second valve shaft;
and
the driving force distribution mechanism includes a first gear connected to the first valve shaft, a second gear connected to the second valve shaft, and a third gear connected to the rotation drive unit and meshing with the first gear and the second gear,
the valve body has an opening through which the valve element can be inserted into the valve chamber,
the driving force distribution mechanism includes a unit-side gear case that closes the opening of one of the valve units and the opening of the other of the valve units and connects the one of the valve units and the other of the valve units,
a recess formed in the unit-side gear case on a side opposite to the valve chamber, and the first gear, the second gear, and the third gear are arranged in the recess ; the unit-side gear case is welded to the valve body of one of the valve units and the valve body of the other valve unit;
The flow path switching valve according to claim 5 . the recess of the unit-side gear case is closed by a gear case cover welded to the unit-side gear case;
The flow path switching valve according to claim 6 .